Conor McGregor wants to be the President of Ireland. At least, that’s what he told his 46 million followers. It started with a photo of him in a "Make Ireland Great Again" hat, fresh off a meeting with Donald Trump. Then came the bold claims about dissolving Parliament and "summoning" politicians to answer to the people by the end of the day.
But here’s the thing. Running for office in Ireland isn't like stepping into the Octagon. You can’t just talk your way into a title shot.
Conor McGregor announces he's running for president in Ireland and suddenly the internet goes into a meltdown. Supporters saw a patriot. Critics saw a populist distraction. The reality? It was a messy, loud, and ultimately failed attempt to jump from the cage to the Áras an Uachtaráin.
The Viral Pitch and the Trump Connection
The timing wasn't an accident. McGregor made his big "official" pitch in March 2025, right around St. Patrick’s Day. He was at the White House. He was meeting with Trump. He was talking about "illegal immigration" ravaging rural towns.
He didn't just want to be a figurehead. He promised to be an "active" president. He took aim at the EU Migration Pact, calling for a national referendum. Basically, he positioned himself as the only person willing to stand up to what he called the "thieves of the working man."
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Honestly, it sounded more like a promo for a pay-per-view than a policy platform. He used phrases like "Ireland is at war" and "If one of us goes to war, we all go to war." It was classic McGregor. Aggressive. Polarizing. Unfiltered.
The Reality of the "Straitjacket" Rules
You’ve gotta understand how the Irish system works to see why this went south. To even get your name on that ballot, you need one of two things:
- Support from 20 members of the Oireachtas (Parliament).
- Nominations from four local county councils.
McGregor claimed on X (formerly Twitter) in August 2025 that he had it "secured." He said he had the councils. He said he had the TDs and Senators.
He didn't.
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When it came time to actually show up and speak to the councils, the support just wasn't there. Local councillors weren't exactly lining up to back a man who had recently been found civilly liable for sexual assault in a Dublin court. The "establishment" he kept attacking was the very group he needed to sign his papers.
Why the Campaign Fell Apart
By September 15, 2025, the dream was dead. The "Notorious" one posted a long statement withdrawing his candidacy. He blamed the system, calling the nomination rules a "straitjacket" and "outdated."
It's kinda funny, really. He spent months saying he was the "only logical choice," but when the deadline approached, he realized he couldn't get past the gatekeepers. Most analysts saw it coming. Public opinion polls showed him hovering around 7% support. In the end, the 2025 election became a race between Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys, and Jim Gavin.
Catherine Connolly ended up winning in a massive landslide. She’s a left-wing Independent, the total opposite of the firebrand persona McGregor was trying to sell.
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What This Means for Ireland’s Future
Even though he dropped out, the McGregor "campaign" shifted the vibe of Irish politics. He tapped into a real sense of frustration regarding housing, the cost of living, and immigration. You can't ignore that part. He magnified what he called a "democratic deficit."
But the presidency in Ireland is largely ceremonial. The President doesn't have the power to "dissolve the Dáil" just because they’re annoyed with a bike rack project or a migration bill. McGregor’s platform was based on powers the President simply doesn't have under the Constitution.
Actionable Insights for Following Irish Politics
If you're watching the fallout of this or wondering if he'll try again in 2032, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Eligibility: A candidate needs a formal nomination. Watch the local council meetings in the months leading up to an election; that’s where the real power-brokering happens.
- Understand the Role: The Irish President represents the state but doesn't run the government. Anyone promising "mass deportations" or "dissolving parliament" from that office is usually selling a fantasy.
- Follow the Polls: Don't just look at social media engagement. McGregor has millions of followers, but voters in a booth are a different story. Look for Red C or Ireland Thinks polls for actual data.
- Watch the Referendums: McGregor's focus on the EU Migration Pact isn't going away. Even without him in the race, that specific issue remains a massive talking point for the current government.
McGregor says this isn't the end. He says he’ll be back. For now, though, he’s back to the gym and his business empire, while Ireland moves on with a very different kind of leader in the Áras.